Canada has come a long way with its racially motivated discrimination, but it could be a lot better, not only for African Americans but also for Indigenous peoples, Asian Americans, etc. To Kill a Mockingbird was based in the 1930s in southern United States where African Americans were highly discriminated against and hated for their skin colour. This is shown in the text when Atticus states to Scout that “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life.” Racism happened all the time, every day because white people thought that they were superior. Because of this, they didn’t have or show any respect for black people and took advantage of them, and certainly didn’t show any empathy for them. Mayella used society’s racism to her advantage when she tried to seduce Tom Robinson. When it didn’t work, and her dad beat her because of what she attempted, she accused Tom of rape. Atticus expresses his feelings about this situation when he says, “My pity does not extend so far as to her putting a man’s life at stake, which she has done in an effort to get rid of her own guilt.” It is unfair that black people were treated so poorly, taken advantage of, accused, and punished for crimes they did not commit, and discriminated against in every aspect of their lives. They did nothing to prompt this kind of treatment and certainly did not deserve any bit of it. “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy.” I feel this sentence highlights the sentiment that people of colour were just simply living their lives while constantly being tortured for the way they looked. I think racism is horrific and wrong; and after reading To Kill a Mockingbird, my opinion has only grown stronger. It saddens me to think that even today racism is still an ongoing issue. I hope that someday a world without racism can exist.